Over the last few months I have been looking at different styles of shirts that would go good with french cuffs. Currently in my closet I have several styles and cuts that all add up to a variation of a cotton button down shirt. Not happy with this I took to the Intenet which lead me to MycubanStore.com. The website is filled with Cuban music, memorabilia, tropical clothing such as guayabera shirts, pants shoes and more. If nothing else you should stop by and browse around.
In a short time I was able to find several shirts that I liked and knew it was time to add a few Guayabera shirts to my collection. For those that don’t know the history behind the shirts you have seen some of everywhere read on.
The origin of the garment is disputed, as various claims for the distinctive style have been made in several Latin America countries as well as the Philippines. While most Latin Americans believe guayaberas are of Cuban, or at least Caribbean, origin, many Mexicans believe that the guayabera was created in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico.
A “spin” on the shirt’s origins states that Mexicans either copied the design concept from the “El Encanto” store of Cuba, or emulated the trend from Cuban tourists who visited Mexico. There is also the stated fact that a similar, prototypical shirt has existed since the 18th century.
The origin of the name Guayabera may come from a Cuban legend that tells of a poor countryside seamstress sewing large pockets into her husband’s shirts for carrying guava (guayabas) from the field. Guayabera may also have originated from the word yayabero, the word for a person who lived near the Yayabo River in Cuba.
Though commonly called guayabera in Yucatán or camisa de Yucatan in Mexico, the shirt is sometimes referred to as a “Mexican Wedding Shirt.”
Its the wedding shirt angle that attracted me and inspired me to buy four shirts similar to what you see below. I should receive them in a few days and cannot wait. A word of caution when ordering the sizes appear to run large so be sure to measure your chest before ordering. I normally wear a size 2x and have a 47″ chest. According to the size chart on MycubanStore.com a size 2x is for a man with a chest size 50-52 which is much bigger than I would want to wear. Made from cotton, Chinese, and Irish Linen the Guaybera shirt is one that I know I will enjoy during the warmer months of the year and one you should add to your closet.
Side Note: There are Guayabera shirts for ladies available but in my opinion do not have the same stylish look that the men have.
